My first ever job... Terrified! - Any advice?

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Joanne1598
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Age: 29
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27 Apr 2015, 7:52 pm

This is my first ever post on wrong planet… so, hello to you all! :D
I am going to try and keep this as short as I can, but I do tend to ramble.
Basically I'm looking for as much help, advice, and support as I can get!

I am hoping to undertake an apprenticeship in business and admin (receptionist) at a local doctors surgery and I have my second interview on Wednesday with the practice manager. I am doing an apprenticeship due to the fact I cannot find anyone that will employ me without GCSEs! :x (which I am currently undertaking in evening classes)

The thing is… although I am quite confident in my ability to talk to people, and “play ball” as some may call it – I do have times where I do struggle to keep up the act. This is mostly in my personal life, as I think I would be able to control things that I find most NTs find “weird” or “wrong” whilst in work. The practice manager however has been informed by my last interviewer that I am autistic and what not… and so far that doesn’t seem to have put her off?
What tips can you give me for not draining myself when it comes to work life and dealing with others?

And saying all this though… this would be my first, ever, proper job.
And I have a lot of worries. Which is making me kind of terrified, to be honest.

Basically I think I might mess up, either at the beginning (first day) or later on down the line due to:
a. Anxiety
b. Lack of routine (leading to forgetfulness and anxiety)
c. No idea of how I will react to working 37 hours a week
d. Not preparing myself
e. Tiredness from socialising with colleagues.
ect.

I am scared I won’t be able to cope with work, unless I have some pretty solid routine and preparedness behind me.
I would just really like some advice or help, tips… whatever. :oops:

I honestly would appreciate it greatly!



kraftiekortie
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27 Apr 2015, 8:01 pm

I wish you luck! Congratulations!

I hope you get your Qualifications soon.

In the meantime, I would concentrate on the work, rather than on the people. I think concentrating on the work would drain you less.

Don't be unfriendly--but don't be a social butterfly, either.

Don't let them know that you're looking at the files--but, sometimes, the files can be fascinating.



MollyTroubletail
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27 Apr 2015, 8:12 pm

The main thing is to arrive to work on time or even better a little earlier, and to not make too many actual mistakes in your work. You can take regular bathroom breaks when you feel overly stressed out. Other than that it's just a matter of hanging in there and being what employers call "reliable". Until you could do your job in your sleep it's a good idea to write down things which you might forget in a notebook.



carthago
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27 Apr 2015, 9:38 pm

Joanne1598 wrote:

a. Anxiety
b. Lack of routine (leading to forgetfulness and anxiety)
c. No idea of how I will react to working 37 hours a week
d. Not preparing myself
e. Tiredness from socialising with colleagues.


a. Do the best you can to learn the ropes and focus on the task. Once you've got the technical side of the work down, you'll be a bit more relaxed and do even better work.
b. The workplace will have its own procedures, and you'll learn what's expected of you very quickly. Learn these procedures, practice them, and ask for help if you forget how to do something. Making notes can sometimes be helpful.
c. For the first few weeks, it will feel like you're always at work, but you'll eventually get used to working 37 hours per week. If it seems like a lot, maybe you can take solace in knowing there's an accountant out there working 90 hours a week. :(
d. Most jobs start with a week or two of orientation and training. This will be your time to burn the midnight oil and become as prepared and knowledgeable about your job as possible. This is the time when co-workers are most understanding of mistakes and will not think any question is a stupid question, so take advantage of it. You will always be learning and preparing for your job, but getting a solid foundation at the beginning is paramount.
e. As kraftie said, be friendly, but don't worry too much about making friends at work. Remember, you're there because you have a job to do. If others are a bit cliquish or like to chat a lot at work, do the best you can to make small talk, but keep a side project going that gives you an excuse to pull out when you're getting tired.